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Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu 4 Days

4 Days and 3 Nights
Multi-day hike
Price
From$500
Price
From$500
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Spanish, English
Departure city: Cusco, Peru
Ends in the city: Cusco, Peru
Group Size: 12 PER GROUP
Availability: Daily Departures
Trip Styles: Hiking
Max Altitude: 4457 M. / 14619 FT.
Lodging Type: Camps & Hostel
Difficulty: Moderate
Overview

Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu

The Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu (also known as the Cachicata, Soqma, and Chaski Trek) is an excursion that’s stayed out of the crowded traditional tourist circuits. It’s an excellent tour for those looking to delve into the Incas’ history and learn first-hand how life in the Andes works. The Inca Quarry Route was recently included in the top six Alternative Routes to Machu Picchu by National Geographic.The Inca Quarry trek is one of the newest and least crowded trekking routes to Machu Picchu. This wonderful trek will take you past high waterfalls, Inca ruins, and beautiful scenery.

Amidst the exuberant local flora and fauna, you’ll visit the archaeological site of Perolniyoc and pass through various communities near the Cachiqata quarry. The Incas took the stones from this quarry to build Ollantaytambo. You’ll be able to appreciate some rocks that were cut by the Incas in that place!

After three days of walking, you’ll go to Aguas Calientes by train. On the fourth day, you’ll visit the magnificent city of Machu Picchu. Our standard package includes the premium service of the Vistadome Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and accommodation in a pleasant and comfortable hotel there. It also includes dinner in the best restaurant in Aguas Calientes and the entrance to climb the Huayna Picchu Mountain.

Why Take the Inca Quarry Trail 4 Days

  • Trek through the stunning Andean jungle landscapes and take in the astounding views.
  • See beautiful and unique flora and fauna to the zone and learn all about it.
  • Visit the quarry where the Incas got the stones to build Ollantaytambo from.
  • Understand how small communities live in such remote regions of the Andes and see them going about their daily lives.
  • Explore archaeological sites and uncover Inca secrets.
  • Take a grand tour of the mystical Machu Picchu before exploring by yourself.
Itinerary

DAY 1Cusco - Soqma - Perolniyoc - Racaypata - Rayan

Visit places
Cusco
Soqma
Waterfall perolniyoc
Rayán camp

Your adventure begins today bright and early when we collect you from your accommodation in the morning and drive for one and a half hours to the starting point of our trek. Our private transport is extremely comfortable, and we’ll provide you with blankets in case you want to get a little more sleep on the journey.

Once we arrive at the starting point, and after enjoying a great breakfast, you’ll meet the cooks and horseman and get to know your team. Then, we’ll begin our hike with a 3 to 4 hour stretch to the pretty Perolniyoc waterfall. On the way, we’ll pass through the little town of Soqma and be surrounded by corn, potato, and quinoa fields. After you’ve had time to enjoy the beautiful valley landscape, you’ll get the chance to cool off or shower in the waterfall.

When you feel refreshed, we’ll continue to the Racaypata archaeological site, which was built on a cliff and boasts spectacular views of the surrounding valley. All our guides are experts in Inca history so that you can expect a quality history lesson! We’ll also have our lunch there, and you’ll get to try the exquisite food prepared by our team in the middle of the mountains.

The afternoon is relatively relaxing as we ascend for one more hour to reach our campsite at Rayan (3,700 m / 12,139 ft). You’ll be able to rest for the remainder of the day and wander around the area before a tasty dinner. While you wait for your food, take the opportunity to observe the clear Andean night sky. You’ll see constellations and shooting stars before heading to the comfort of your tent to wind down for the night.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, dinner.
  • Accommodation:Camps
  • Difficulty:Moderate
  • Walking Distance:8 km / 4.97 mi
  • Minimum Elevation:3,000 m / 9,843 ft
  • Highest Elevation:3,700 m / 12,139 ft

DAY 2Rayan - Puccaqasa - Kuichiqasa pass - Sun Gate - Choquetacarpo

Visit places
Rayán
Inti Punku
Choquetacarpo Camp

After an energizing breakfast, we’ll head uphill for 3 hours to the first summit of the hike at Puccaqasa (4,400 m / 14,436 ft). You’ll get the most incredible views of the Sacred Valley from here, and, of course, it’s the perfect spot to get some amazing photos.

Later, we’ll descend for around 25 minutes to our lunch spot for a well-deserved meal. Recharge your energies with some more incredible food from our cooks before continuing with a 2-hour up and down hike. On the last 20 minutes of this stretch, you’ll head up to the highest point of the whole trek, the Kuychicassa Pass (4,500 m / 14,764 ft). You can expect some more wonderful landscapes from this height and observe snowy glaciers.

You’ll be heading downhill again afterward to the Inti Punku or Sun Gate archaeological site (3,900 m / 12,795 ft). You’ll learn a little about the site while you take in spectacular views of La Veronica glacier (5,682 m / 18,642 ft) and the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which you’ll likely visit at some point during your time in Cusco.

Finally, there’ll be a 30-minute descent to our campsite in the Choquetacarpo sector (3,600 m / 11,811 ft). You can now rest for the evening and enjoy another tasty meal before heading to bed.

  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
  • Accommodation:Camps
  • Difficulty:Moderate
  • Walking Distance:13 km / 8.08 mi
  • Minimum Elevation:3,600 m / 11,811 ft
  • Highest Elevation:4,500 m / 14,764 ft

DAY 3Choquetacarpo - Cachicata - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes

Visit places
Choquetacarpo
Ollantaytambo
Aguas Calientes Hostel

Just like every other morning, you’ll be greeted with a delicious and filling breakfast to get you going. We’ll then begin our 1-hour descent to the Cachicata quarries (3,520 m / 11,549 ft), where the stones were taken from to build Ollantaytambo. Inside the site, you’ll enjoy a guided tour to learn more about the place and observe the cut stone blocks whose transportation was interrupted by the arrival of the Spanish. It’s fascinating to see the perfect cuts that the Incas were able to create with simple materials.

After, we’ll descend from the quarry for 3 hours until we get to the quaint town of Ollantaytambo (2,792 m / 9,160 ft), where we’ll have lunch. Once we’ve finished, we’ll head to the train station to board the Expedition service to Aguas Calientes (2,040 m / 6,693 ft). Along the tracks, you’ll be able to observe the beautiful scenery of the Sacred Valley up close as you travel beside the Urubamba River. You’ll need your camera ready to take some great snaps!

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you’ll check-in at your hostel to rest before dinner if you feel tired. If you still have some energy, you can explore the small town or head to hot springs, which are the perfect place to relax your tired muscles after three days of walking. In the evening, we’ll enjoy dinner in one of the top restaurants before going to bed early because you’ll be up before sunrise to see Machu Picchu.

  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
  • Accommodation:Hotel
  • Difficulty:Moderate
  • Walking Distance:10 km / 6,213 mi
  • Minimum Elevation:2,040 m / 6,693 ft
  • Highest Elevation:3,600 m / 11,811 ft

DAY 4Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco

Visit places
Aguas Calientes
Machu Picchu
Cusco

The big day has arrived! Make sure you’re up very early to beat the crowds at Machu Picchu. We’ll board a bus in Aguas Calientes at 5:30 am to reach the sanctuary at 6 am. Once inside, you’ll be able to see the golden morning sunrise over the incredible citadel. Take in the impressive views before you enjoy a 2-hour guided tour with your local expert. You’ll visit all the must-see sites before having 4 or 5 more hours to explore by yourself.

Now will be the perfect time to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain if you have pre-booked tickets. If not, you can hike up to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) or Inca Bridge free of charge. From all these places, you get a great view over the fortress.

A little after midday, it’ll be time to make your way down to Aguas Calientes. You’ll have a bit of time to grab some lunch in a restaurant of your choice before catching a train to Ollantaytambo. From there, our private transport will collect you and take you to your accommodation in Cusco. You’ll be able to put your feet up and reflect on your fantastic adventure. We’re sure your heart will be soaring with the magic of the Incas for weeks, months, even years to come!

  • Meals:  Breakfast
  • Difficulty:Moderate
  • Tour in Machu Picchu: 2-3 hours exploring
  • Machu Picchu Site Elevation: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
  • Huayna Picchu Mountain Elevation: 2,720 m / 8,924 ft
  • Machu Picchu Mountain Elevation: 3,000 m / 9,843 ft
Trip Info
Inclusions
Packing List
Before You Go

High Quality Service & Safety

  • Pre-departure briefing
  • Experienced Guide speaks English and Spanish
  • A professional cook only for our group
  • Medical Kit – First Aid Kit
  • Private Camping Equipment
  • One duffle bag per person
  • Customer Service 24/7
  • Extra oxygen

Permits & Entrance Tickets

  • Entrance Ticket to Machu Picchu Archaeological Site

Transportation

  • Private transportation from Cusco to the start of the trek
  • Horses, and muleteers horses carry your 8-kg / 16-pound personal items.
  • Private transportation from the end of the walk to the Ollantaytambo train station
  • Day 4: Train Ticket from Ollantaytambo To Aguas Calientes
  • Day 5: Train Ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
  • Day 5: Private transport from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco.

Meals

  • Meals: 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, and 4 Dinners
  • Meals: vegetarian and vegan
  • Water to drink on the trail every day
  • Wake up tea
  • Tea Time or Happy Hour
  • Snacks on the trail daily
  • Products for hygiene

Accommodation

  • Personal Accommodation in Private Campsites
  • Hotel in Aguas Calientes

Extra inclusions

  • PRO Air sleeping pad, Therma-Rest brand
  • Sleeping bag
  • Trekking stick

What Is Not Included?

  • Travel Insurance
  • Tips for our staff
  • Additional costs or delays out of control of the management
  • Original Passport
  • Walking boots
  • Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
  • Warm jacket
  • Hat and gloves
  • T-shirts
  • Comfortable trousers
  • Sun hat
  • Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
  • Insect repellant
  • Toiletries and hand sanitiser
  • Personal medication
  • Camera and film with extra batteries
  • Torch with spare batteries
  • Daypack

Information Before leaving for the Inca Quarry Trek.

We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and as easy as possible. In this section, you will find speedy answers to all those questions you had about Inca Quarry Trek in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions about our services.
Has another question that we haven’t answered here? Drop us a line, and we will get back to you asap!

Briefing or informative meeting

All information meetings are held in your hotel at 6:00 p.m., one night before the tour begins. If you cannot attend, you must coordinate another time at the Peru Hike offices. These meetings last approximately 30 to 45 minutes and there you will be given a small duffel bag, in which you’ll put all the belongings you intend to bring on the trek that won’t be in your day pack.

Duffel bag or canvas case

ou’ll receive a canvas case or duffel bag during your briefing. The porters will take them on the way and will deliver them to you when you get to each camp. They measure 66 cm / 2 ft. Long x 36 cm / 1 ft. Wide.

A maximum of 5 kg is allowed for each duffel bag that includes the weight of your sleeping bag, mat, clothes and other personal items.

Payment of Trek Balance (in Cusco)

The trek has to be paid for in full by at least 7.30 pm two days before departure. For example, if your tour departs on a Wednesday, then you must come to our office before 7.30 pm on Monday.

It would be much appreciated if you pay the trek balance in cash US dollars or local currency. You can withdraw some money from several ATMs along Avenida Sol (either in US dollars or local Peruvian Soles). You can pay by credit card or PAYPAL online, but you will have to pay an 8% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. We do not accept bank checks or payment of the balance by traveler’s checks.

Can I store my luggage at your office?

Of course! During the travel, your main luggage can be stored at our office(you can organize briefing day or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.

Any equipment that you are not going to need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Don’t leave items of value with your bags, put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (In the unlikely case of theft many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing all the items). Best put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.

Pick up of guests

Peru Hike can pick you up from your hotel, as long as it’s in the Historic Center of Cusco. The pickup time will be coordinated with your guide in the briefing. The pickup time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes due to traffic. Cusco is a very old city, therefore, it has many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs may be located on streets without access to cars or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. We strongly recommend that you book accommodation with good access.

Return to Cusco

Returning from Machu Picchu requires quite a bit of logistics, but don’t worry. Everything is included in your tour!

  • In Machu Picchu you’ll board a bus that will take you for 25 minutes to the small city of Aguas Calientes. The buses are boarded according to your arrival.
  • In Aguas Calientes you’ll board a train to Ollantaytambo or Cusco. Your guide will give you the train tickets where the boarding time will be shown. Make sure you’re on the platform 30 minutes early. The train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo takes 2 hours.
  • Once you arrive at the station, our representative, identified with the Peru Hike clothing, will be waiting to transfer you to Plaza San Francisco, in Cusco. The trip from Ollantaytambo to Plaza San Francisco takes 2 hours.
  • In San Francisco, depending on your hotel’s location, we will take you to a smaller car from our company (Hyundai H1) to transfer you faster to your hotel in Cusco.

Group tours

Group tours are made up of different types of people. Physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route. It may be the case that a group wishes to modify the tour; however, it will be the guide who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if said modifications can be made.

Strikes and demonstrations

Strikes and demonstrations are usually frequent in Peru and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will try to keep your excursion as planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date. Under these circumstances, tours may also be cancelled. In case of changes or cancellations, all situations will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority and our decisions will be made to protect it.

Lost objects

You’re responsible for your objects during the tour. Please pay attention to where you leave your things and remember to take everything once you leave our trucks, tents, or restaurants.

1 Review
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Raphael M

Family Traveller

When we got the bad news, that the Salkantay trek was not possible to hike due to heavy rain, Peru Hike managed to rebook our trek very uncomplicated. With the Quarry trek, we landed on a magnificent alternative which we can recommend highly. The trek is far less crowded than all the other treks to Machu Picchu (we were the only group at this time) and the scenery was just stunning.
After a well organised pickup at our hostel, a relaxed breakfast and a visit to a local weaving factory, we started the hike in a valley (appr. 2900 m.a.s.l.) and made our way up to two passes (appr. 4500 and 4600 m.a.s.l.). Already after a few hours, we visited the first Pre-Inca site. Our guide, Elisban, knew a lot of interesting facts and history to every place we visited. He explained everything in a funny and though professional way.
Special mention should be made to the good food that was prepared always freshly by our two chefs Carmello and Lorenzo. They managed to produce a great variety of dishes under very simple conditions. Once even a chocolate-jelly-cake. Also the horsemen did a very good job in preparing our big tents for every lunch and every night. The tents and other equipment were in good condition. We slept well and woke up in front of the most beautiful views while getting a hot coca tea served at the bed.
Thank you for an unforgettable experience on the Quarry trek and Machu Picchu!

25 March, 2021
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